May 11, 2007

Box Score

Greensboro, N.C. - Fifth-seeded Western Carolina fell, 4-2, to seventh seeded Furman (20-33-1) in the semi-finals of the Southern Conference Tournament Friday afternoon at the UNCG Softball Complex. The Catamounts return to action at 11:00 am Saturday playing in the elimination game against 4th seeded Georgia Southern which used a seventh-inning rally to eliminate No. 8 UNC Greensboro Friday evening.

Western (28-33) will have to win three times on Saturday in order to secure the program's first-ever SoCon Tournament Championship. Awaiting the winner of the WCU-GSU match-up are the Furman Lady Paladins, who will have to be defeated twice as the seventh-seeded squad advanced from the winner's bracket.

The Catamount Sports Network, in association with WWCU-FM, Power 90dot5, will again provide live play-by-play coverage of each of Western's games on Saturday. Air time for game one is set for 10:45 am, with subsequent coverage based upon the outcome of each game. In addition to catching the action on the air waves of Power 90dot5, fans can also follow all of the action online at www.WWCUFM.com.

The Catamounts, who had survived on low run and hit production in their previous two wins in the tournament, couldn't overcome the hot-hitting Furman Paladins. In three games, Western Carolina has just 11 hits and scored five runs.

Western Carolina had also enjoyed two complete game shutouts by sophomore hurler Mendy McKenzie. However, McKenzie was given a rest to start the game and Furman got on the board early and the Catamounts chased the Paladins the rest of the game.

Sophomore Lauren Ross got the call to the mound against Furman. She gave up two costly walks in the second inning and a two RBI single by Amber Kiser gave Furman the early 2-0 lead. Ross was replaced by Savannah Filley late in the second inning and she forced Abby Robertson to fly out to right field to end the inning.

Filley tossed two scoreless innings before giving up what would eventually be the game-winning runs. RBI singles by Stephanie Cushing and Brythe Blankenship accounted for the Paladins' third and fourth runs of the game.

Western Carolina rallied in the bottom of the sixth inning to avoid the shutout. McKenzie, who came into the game in relief in sixth inning, led off with a single up the middle. With two outs, Filley singled to place runners at first and second. Mollie Fowler lined to the third baseman but a Furman error allowed Fowler to reach first and she moved to second when the ball rolled into the dugout. McKenzie was able to score on the play and Filley moved to third. Beth Hauser then came up to bat, pinch hitting for Ross. Hauser hit a laser to centerfield and Filley scored, however, the inning was over when Hauser attempted to move to second and was tagged out.

McKenzie continues to be impressive on the mound. Though she came into the game in a losing situation, McKenzie tossed two scoreless innings and only allowed one hit. In the tournament, McKenzie has a 0.00 ERA allowing just 11 hits and striking out 19.

Western Carolina had five hits in the game. McKenzie, Filley Hauser, Kayla Kelley and Danielle Reese all picked up singles in the contest.